BMO TO BUILD A NEW URBAN WORKPLACE OVERLOOKING YONGE AND DUNDAS SQUARE

Mar 01, 2018

TORONTO, March 1, 2018 – BMO Financial Group today announced plans to revitalize the commercial space at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto, transforming it into a sprawling urban work campus featuring a dual 4-storey atrium. The investment in Toronto’s downtown core reflects the bank’s commitment to bringing the organization closer together to deliver a great experience for both customers and employees.

A model of a progressive workplace that features advanced technology and innovative workspaces, this is one of the bank’s most significant workplace design projects since First Canadian Place broke ground 40 years ago. The location will also help to attract top talent, meet the changing demands of an increasingly mobile workforce, and accelerate the delivery of customer solutions to market.

“This urban campus is central to the business transformation that’s underway at BMO. We’re unified in our focus on the customer and now we’re accelerating, moving ahead ready to capitalize on every advantage: our wealth of customer insights, the right investment in technology and the discipline to keep things simple. This step we are taking is all about our customers because ultimately, it is they who lead our bank,” said Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. “We’re positioning the bank to be at the forefront of change and lead the industry. This new workplace will be a centerpiece for how we drive value.”

Mr. White added that BMO remains committed to maintaining the bank’s Toronto headquarters at First Canadian Place and have extended the lease for another 15 years.

"Cadillac Fairview is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with BMO to envision and design this exciting re-imagining of work space," said John Sullivan, President and CEO, Cadillac Fairview. "With CF Toronto Eaton Centre as its home, BMO’s urban campus will stand out as a vibrant environment to stimulate bold ideas, foster new ways of working, and ultimately attract the best talent."

“We’re working differently and share a belief at the bank that the future starts right now. Through agile innovation and strategic partnerships, we’re constantly switching on new capabilities and taking innovations to scale. This project is another example of how BMO is embracing cutting-edge workplace design to do that more. And it’s another way we’re ensuring BMO continues to attract the best and brightest talent,” added Mr. White.

The new BMO Campus will be built in the repurposed Sears space in CF Toronto Eaton Centre, delivering a high impact BMO brand experience to a multitude of residents, commuters and tourists who pass through Yonge-Dundas Square every day.

When operational, it will boast four floors of progressive space featuring advanced digital technology, open floorplans, a variety of collaborative work areas and easy underground PATH access to other major BMO locations, public transit, and hundreds of restaurants and entertainment options.

Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider – the 8thlargest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $728 billion as of January 31, 2018, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.